San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-03-09

NtA'J - @N'.NS iA''''NA'' - 49, -
ture was at stake.
Come in, Miss Dreeme. y said the
authoritative voice of Madam Phikney,
the lady principal. Il wish 20 present
you to Mrs. Dalton
Sylvia drew a deep breath. and. the
mist was gone in q moment. Sitting
bolt upright. just across the apartment,
she beheld a thin, angular figure, prim-
ly dressed in drab-colOred silk. For an
instant pair of cold, light-blue eyes
seemed to transiiX her with their search
ing gaze.
ton, had come for me-" she faltered,
feeling vague sense of disappointment.
The lady fTOwned.
81 am here in my nephew's stead.
We decided between us that was the
proper person to act as chaperOn.n
Sylvia had never heard of Mrs. Dali
ton before. But she had called Mr..
Castlet0n nephew" so she made an
effort to overcome her instructive dis
like of the woman.
do you live at Ingleside? And are
you come to take me home with YOU"
Yes" Mrs. Dalton replied To both
questions. II reside with my nephew,
and you are TO go back with me.
Though why Mark should consent to
burden himself with hoydenish school
girl is more than L can understand. 1t
was very selfish and inconsderate of
your father to leave you to his care. lie
was no relation, and had not the shadow
of claim upon him."
The girls eyes filled with sudden
tears.
II loved my father very dearly" she
said, q tremor in her voice. AT the last
he was greatly concerned about my fu-
ture, and fancied this was the best
thing he could do for me-"
mo doubt" sarcastically. "He knew
all about my nephew's long purse and
kind heart. OF course he was very for
tunate in being able to fasten you up
on a person of Marks wealth and gen.
enrosity."
A deep flush rose to Sylvia's beauti-
full face. Was her hunger for sympathy
and love to be answered in this wayp
She felt momentary temptation to
turn her back upon the hard, cold wO-
man, and go out into the world to strug-
gle by herself.
Papa left some money!" she said. II
am sure he never intended | should be
burden upon any body"
"Humphl doubt if there is enough
to keep you out of the pOorhouse week,
IL lClU W lOul O"h ltSOulCto. lDuO ~ ID
no affair of mine. How soon can you
have your boxes ready? do not pro-
pose wasting an unnecessary moment
here"
II will send one of my servants to
Miss Dreeme'S assistance" interposed
Madam Pinkney. Half an hour will
suffice i'll which to complete her prepare
lions and say her adieux." In the next
breath she added, conciliatingly: Miss
Dreeme was considered one of my most
promising pupils. She has real talents
and ability. You will find her pleas
ant addition to your home circle, Mrs.
Dalton"
ALLOW me to say that | am the best
judge of what is agreeable or otherwise.
The girl looks to me like young saw
age. Her presence is one of the evils
my nephew's sOft-heartedness has rem
dered necessary, and must be endured
for the present."
Sylvia turned sadly away. She was
ashamed to weep, but all the beautiful
castles she had built in air had tumbled
about her head since entering the re-
ception-room, and she felt like one gaZ-
ing across pile of gloomy ruins.
Mrs. Dalton scarcely spoke to her
during the brief, lonesome journey, but
sat primly-erect, pretending to be alb
sorbed in the scenery. The few glances
with which she favored her were any
thing but friendly ones.
1t was early evening when they reach
ed Ingleside, a handsome Old-fashiOned
house toward which the city had crept
with giant strides, and now completely
encircled. Mrs. Dalton led the way to
a large, pleasant chamber on the second
floor.
II shall come for you in ten min
utes," she said, ere departing. "Mr.
Castleton is at home, and will expect to
see you this evening"
Sylvia YEARLY bathed her face, and
brushed out the clinging curls of nut
brown hair. She could not help think
ing how wan and hopeless was the face
that looked back at her from the depths
of the mirror. No trace of the morn
ing's dreamy brightness was left.
When Mrs. Dalton came for her she
followed the woman listlessly. All the
interest she had felt in her unknown
guardian was gone. For moment af-
ter being ushered into the spacious
library where he sat she did not even
look up.
And this is my ward, Sylvia Dreeme?
Welcome to Ingleside."
The voice was winning, musical and
kind. For her life Sylvia could not have
resisted the impulse to drop her flutter-
ing white hand into that so cordially
extended.
Then she raised her eyes. An invol-
untary cry broke from her. Tall and
straight, with strong, earnest face and
eyes beaming with tenderness and truth
the ideal of her dreams was there be-
fore her! With this only difference.
She had mentally pictured a man past
middle-age, and Mark Castleton could
not have been a day over thirty.
You seem startled" he said, looking
at her earnestly. SIS any thing amiss?"
The girl returned stammering reply,
a deep flush of embarrassment upon her
face. Fortunately, Mrs. Dalton came
to her relief with one of her tart re-
marks.
Il have brought Miss Dreeme home
with me, Mark, according to your in
structiOns. What is to be done with
her now she is here?"
make her as comfortable and happy
as possible" was the smiling rejOinder.
Mrs. Dalton gave her head toss.
THAT is easily done. All a school
girl wants is plenty to eat and leisure
to do as she pleases."
The firm, warm hand closed over Syl-
| Was with lingering pressure.
Poor child" he said, in kind tone.
81 know you are quite alone in the
| world. | wish you to feel that Ingle-
side is home to you in every sense of
| the word"
Tho pirl,S lOpaIy hart wont out to